Indian Country Bred
The Indian Country-bred is an Indian horse or pony type of indeterminate mixed breeding. It is archaically known as tattoo from a Hindi word. These horses vary from good-quality riding horses to small and poorly-conformed animals used for pack and draught work. They derive from many diverse horse breeds and types, both local and introduced from elsewhere. Among these are the small horses of the Himalayas of northern India, particularly Bhutan, Sikkim and Darjeeling, and the strong horses of the Punjab. Outside influences include Arab horses imported to Bombay and Veraval from the Persian Gulf, and the Australian Walers imported in very large numbers in the nineteenth century.
| Life Span | 25-30 years |
| Weight | 380-550 kg |
What to Know Before Buying an Indian Country Bred
Finding a responsible Indian Country Bred breeder requires more than browsing classified ads or responding to social media posts. The USDA requires any breeder who sells horses commercially — especially those selling online or through third-party dealers — to hold a federal license and submit to regular inspections. A legitimate breeder should be willing to provide their USDA license number, invite you to visit their facility, and show you where the animals are housed and socialized.
Before committing to a purchase, ask the breeder for veterinary health records, vaccination documentation, and any genetic testing results relevant to the Indian Country Bred. Reputable breeders will also ask you questions in return — about your living situation, experience with animals, and ability to provide long-term care. A breeder who asks no questions and is eager to ship an animal immediately is a significant red flag.
Use the search tool below to check whether any USDA-licensed facilities breeding Indian Country Breds appear in our database. If they do, review their inspection history carefully. Look for patterns of violations, pay attention to severity levels, and compare their compliance grade with other breeders in the same state. This due diligence takes minutes and can save you from supporting a facility with documented animal welfare problems.
Looking for an Indian Country Bred breeder?
Search our database of USDA-licensed facilities to find inspected breeders and check their compliance history.
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